Augustus Essay | Principate of Augustus

Principate of Augustus

Summary: Assesses the Principate of Augustus (Ancient Roman History)as well as the lives of Octavian and Augustus.

When Octavian discovered he was the heir of the late Julius Caesar, he vowed to "avenge his father's death." (Pamela Bradley - Using Sources: Ancient Rome) He changed his name to Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus and aimed to equal and possibly exceed the achievements of Caesar. He did this by creating a new and improved Rome.

In his lifetime, Octavian accomplished much more than many rulers before him. These accomplishments reformed all aspects of life, not only for the people of Rome, but for the people of the provinces also. There is both archaeological and written evidence to suggest that Octavian's overhaul of Roman society beginning in 29BC, including changes to the government administration and senate, the provinces, religion, the economy and the physical appearance of Rome, was one of the biggest achievements - it required both political and social cunning.